The DIY and garden sectors are expected to remain flat in 2026, according to Nielsen IQ, as weak consumer spending and a sluggish housing market continue to weigh on demand.
In 2025, both markets declined by 2.7% overall, with DIY falling 3.2% (€24.2bn) and gardening down 1.1% (€8.3bn). Consumers are increasingly cautious: half of French households reduced spending on home equipment, while 75% postponed purchases of durable goods.
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Within gardening, performance was mixed. Categories like lawnmowers, pressure washers, and pumps declined, while growth came from robotic lawnmowers (+8.4%), potting soil (+8%), and pizza ovens (+72%). A shift toward eco-friendly products is accelerating, with peat-free and organic solutions gaining traction.
In DIY, demand is also uneven. Tools fell sharply (-10.7%), while climate-related products such as fans (+75%) and air conditioners (+72%) surged due to heatwaves. Convenience is key, with ready-to-use products outperforming.
Online sales continue to grow strongly, rising 8.9% in France, driven by both new and repeat customers. At the same time, private labels are gaining share, while retailers are reducing product ranges to simplify offerings.
Looking ahead, despite ongoing projects in housing and renovation, no clear recovery signals are visible. Nielsen IQ expects the market to stabilize rather than rebound, describing 2026 as a likely "soft landing at zero growth."
Source: www.univers-habitat.eu
